The reintroduction of the death penalty in Kyrgyzstan and the implications for the EU-Kyrgyzstan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement

Question for written answer E-004150/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Nacho Sánchez Amor (S&D)

The reintroduction of the death penalty in Kyrgyzstan, proposed by President Japarov in response to the abhorrent murder of 17-year-old Aisuluu Mukasheva, is a deeply concerning initiative by the Kyrgyz authorities, particularly in the context of the deteriorating human rights situation and democratic backsliding in the country.

Kyrgyzstan abolished the death penalty in 2007 and ratified the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 2010. The proposed amendment of the Kyrgyz Constitution would require Kyrgyzstan to withdraw from the international agreements that it would be breaching.

Its approval would signify a serious deterioration in the already worsening human rights situation in Kyrgyzstan, placing the country among the minority of states worldwide that impose the death penalty. It is particularly appalling that this 'penal populism' approach does not address the systemic causes of gender-based violence in the country. Furthermore, the possibility of the death penalty gradually migrating to other areas of Kyrgyz criminal law is concerning.

The EU has consistently reaffirmed its strong and unequivocal opposition to the death penalty, which constitutes a serious violation of human rights and human dignity. Moreover, human rights are an essential part of the recently concluded EU-Kyrgyzstan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.

Given this, would the Commission consider triggering Article 316 of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and suspending the Agreement if Kyrgyzstan ends up approving the reintroduction of the death penalty?

Submitted: 22.10.2025